Preserved in music, dance, and art--as well as in ritual, tribal law,
and mythology--the fighting arts of the Indonesian archipelago play a
central role in Indonesian culture.
The Martial Arts of Indonesia is a heavily illustrated and
well-researched work from revered martial arts scholar and teacher Donn
F. Draeger. Draeger offers an expert's perspective on the story of
Indonesia's martial culture, providing a comprehensive introduction to
the sophisticated forms of empty-hand combat. These acrobatic fighting
styles like Pencak Silat--which was granted World Cultural Heritage
status by UNESCO in 2019--and Kuntao are growing in popularity around
the world.
This book also has extensive information on traditional Indonesian
weapons including:
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Keris: A dagger with a waved blade and pistol-grip handle
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Kujang: A sickle-shaped dagger with a distinctive curve
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Rencong: An L-shaped knife with a slightly curved blade
Draeger shows how these unique Indonesian forms are related to their
mainland cousins, provides a historical context for their development,
and describes the various combat methods employed throughout Indonesia.
This edition includes a new foreword by Gary Nathan Gartenberg, the
world's leading expert on Indonesian martial arts, which explains the
lasting importance of this classic study of an ancient martial
tradition.
With over 400 photos and illustrations of moves and weapons that
showcase the intricacies of the Indonesian fighting forms, The Martial
Arts of Indonesia is an indispensable addition to any martial artist's
library.
